Who Should I Start? Blake Corum or Jonathon Brooks

Tuesday, January 7, 4:22 PM

The Los Angeles Rams placed rookie running back Blake Corum (forearm) on Injured Reserve on Tuesday and signed veteran running back Royce Freeman from the practice squad to the 53-man active roster in a corresponding move. Corum is out for the rest of the season after fracturing his forearm in the loss to the division-rival Seattle Seahawks on Sunday in the Week 18 regular-season finale. Kyren Williams will continue to work as the Rams' No. 1 RB for the playoffs, with Ronnie Rivers now likely serving in the top backup role with Corum sidelined. The 24-year-old third-round pick out of Michigan had a small role behind Williams all year in his first season in the NFL and finished with only 58 rushing attempts for 207 yards (3.6 yards per carry), adding seven catches for 58 yards. If he's ready to go for the start of the 2025 season, Corum will likely be a top fantasy handcuff for Williams.

Sunday, January 19, 4:53 PM

Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) underwent a successful second ACL surgery last week, according to Joe Person of The Athletic. The operation was led by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who is widely regarded as one of the country's top sports medicine specialists. Brooks missed the first half of his rookie season due to an ACL injury, so it was crushing to see him suffer another ACL tear just a few games into his NFL career. This latest tear is expected to sideline Brooks for the entire 2025 season, meaning he won't be fully healthy until the 2026 campaign. The Panthers are fortunate that Chuba Hubbard played so well during the 2024 season and is on track to remain their starting running back in 2025. Hubbard ranks as a high-end fantasy RB2 next year, but Brooks' eventual return in 2026 could add a wrinkle to the backfield dynamic.